Winter food drive fails to meet targets

North York Harvest Food Bank aimed to collect more food and cash

North York Harvest Food Bank (NYHFB) has fallen short of its collection goals for the Winter Food Drive.

With the drive wrapping up Monday, Jan. 7, numbers stand at 203,336 pounds of food and $210,000. The goal was to collect 240,000 pounds of food and $240,000.

A previous story regarding a food drive update said monetary collection was $211,800, but that figure, provided by NYHFB, included numbers not related to the drive, said spokesperson Juneeja Varghese.

“The increase in need reflects ongoing, systemic issues,” Anette Chawla, executive director of NYHFB, previously said in a release. “Many of our clients face unemployment, or part time and contract work, and struggle to meet the high cost of living in Toronto. To meet this increased demand, and collect enough food for the winter months ahead, we must raise 240,000 pounds of healthy food and $240,000.”

The food bank is facing a 19 per cent increase in demand, which closely reflects post-recession levels of 2008.

NYHFB is the primary food bank in northern Toronto, distributing 1.6 million pounds of food in 2011 to 60 community programs.

The food bank’s catchment area is bounded by Steeles Avenue, Victoria Park Avenue, St. Clair Avenue/Eglinton Avenue and Hwy. 27.